A Tongue-in-Cheek Guide to Becoming a Dictator, Based on the Outrageous, Scandalous, and Excessive Behavior of Dictators Past and Present

Who hasn’t dreamed of one day ruling your own country? Along with great power comes unlimited influence, control, admiration, and often wealth. How to Be a Dictator will teach you the tricks of the trade—how to rise to the top and stay in power, and how to enjoy the fruits of your excellence.

Featuring examples from the most successful leaders and regimes in the business, including Kim Jong Il, Robert Mugabe, Muammar Gaddafi, Nicolae Ceausescu, François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, and many others, this handy guide offers ten easy lessons on becoming and acting like a dictator from how to rig an election and create your own personality cult to the dos and don’ts of dictator fashion. Other topics include: how to become wealthy and spend your fortune, sleeping around, expressing your literary genius, and how to avoid being toppled, exiled, and or meeting any other dismal end. Combining black humor with political insights, How to Be a Dictator is peppered with horrifying and hilarious stories from some of the most eccentric modern world leaders.

A funny and satirical guide to becoming a dictator, based on the outrageous and scandalous behaviour of dictators, both past and present.

“An extraordinarily funny study of political thinking, serious beneath the surface, filled with dark humor and remarkable facts.” —Dagbladet

“Serious subject handled in a most humorous way . . . The details about the reign of small and large lunatics in a number of countries is in the background. But with his special take on the subject, and his relaxed, dry humour, it gets most readable. The book could just as well be read as a lesson in fun facts before a quiz night, as it can be a reminder of corruption, murder, and misgovernment.” —Faedrelandsvennen

“Light and entertaining. Lots of facts. You’ll want to know more about the dictatorships after reading the book.” —Finansavisen

“Perhaps I Can Be a Dictator is for more than just laughs. The book is a funny reminder of how depressingly rich our flora of tyrants really is.” —Klassekampen

“This book lets you know what to do to climb to the top—and stay there. Useful advice and guidelines to avoid trouble is also included. Humor!” —Tønsberg Blad

“One might almost believe that President al-Sisi of Egypt had studied Mikal Hem's thoroughly researched handbook, How to Be a Dictator. Al-Sisi fulfills almost all of the criteria that the Norwegian journalist points out for the successful way to create a dictatorship.” —Die Presse (Austria)

“4/5 stars: This collection of facts and anecdotes about style, wealth, and personality cults is entertaining to read while still remaining reasonably serious.” —Stern (Germany)

“5/6 stars: Mikal Hem has written a lively little book. His pitch-black satire exposes some of the world’s most dangerous and unintentionally comical people.” —Jyllands-Posten (Denmark)